What is Canicross?

Canicross is the sport of cross country running dogs. Introduced in Europe to train sledding dogs out of season, it has grown in popularity as its own sport. All breeds have begun to take part including smaller terrier breeds up to larger breeds such as Rottweilers. Along with all types of dog, Canicross can be beneficial and adaptive to all ages and ability of people. Children can take part and can be involved with their pet which helps to build a stronger bond and teach valuable training skills for both dog and runner. The dog is attached to the runner by a bungee cord which absorbs shock for a smooth run when the dog pulls. The runner wears a waist belt and the dog wears a harness. Canicross can be adapted in so anyways for both dog and runner to help stay fitter together.

Benefits of Canicross

Did you know that a study featured in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, found that owners who exercise their dogs are 34% more likely to have a higher level of fitness?! Owning a dog and exercise is good for you!

Through our time spent canicrossing with dogs and teaching others we’ve seen massive benefits for both dog and human. Here are some of our stories;

Melanie canicrosses with her Border Collie, Rowan, who wears a muzzle as he is not comfortable around dogs and people he doesn’t know. Canicross gives him a job, a focus, mental stimulation and an outlet for his energy. He regularly can be seen at parkruns and our social sessions with his big brother Xander.

Kim owns Boris, a German Wirehaired Pointer with a high prey drive. He cannot safely be exercised off lead as his recall is not reliable. Kim loves running him both on her own and also with our social ‘pack’. He gets to socialise from a safe distance whilst increasing his bond with Kim.

Ted and Flo are rescue dogs who are canicrossed by us twice a week. This provides them with the exercise they need to maintain a healthy weight whilst giving them a brain workout too. Their confidence has massively improved around other dogs and generally in the great outdoors. For a 9 year old Boxer Labrador X, Ted has made an excellent recovery from recent surgery which is due to his healthy bones, joints and ligaments.

Jane runs with Grace a 2 year old Boxer. She was rehomed at an early age and was attacked as a puppy. As a result she has a few behavioural problems which have been massively helped by canicross. Grace is able to meet other dogs safely and learn about their body language so that she can learn to reduce her own anxieties and improve her behavioural problems.

Pippa, Haribo and Ted regularly compete in Flyball with their owner. They are Canicrossed by us once a week for their owner. This helps them to tone their muscle and build stamina, working out their slow twitch muscle fibres. Fast twitch muscle fibres are built up during short, fast bursts of Flyball training, but building up both groups will enhance their performance.

Clare and her Border Collie, Cedar, joined one of our Couch 2 5k Programmes and now regularly join our social 5k sessions. Clare wanted to use Cedar as her training partner to increase her own fitness, whilst combining exercise for him too. She has seen massive benefits, building her self-esteem and lifting her mood to encourage her to concentrate on weight loss to achieve a healthy weight, heart and blood pressure. She’s increased her bone mass and built healthy toned muscle. In fact from a ‘non-runner’ she is now training for her first half marathon!!!